Thomson, who missed most of last season after picking up a serious knee injury, was forced to sit out last weekend's win over Celtic and withdraw from the Scotland squad after sustaining a new knee injury.

However, McCoist has moved to end fears that the classy midfielder had suffered a recurrence of the knee injury which sidelined him for several months last term.

"It wasn't the old injury, I'm led to believe," McCoist told the club's official website.

"It was just a bit of soreness in his knee and 10 days' rest will do him the world of good."

Patient

Meanwhile, McCoist insists Rangers will not rush Kris Boyd back from his eye problem.

Boyd faces up to three weeks out after suffering a small fracture to his eye socket during the win over Celtic following a clash of heads with Landry N'Guemo.

McCoist insists the injury is not as serious as first feared and they are hoping the prolific striker will not be sidelined too long.

"I spoke to Boydy on Sunday night and he was obviously very sore," added McCoist.

"He had been for an X-ray and it was fine. He went for some scans on Monday and I spoke to him again. He is in a bit of discomfort and a bit of pain.

"I believe on Monday morning it swelled up after he got up in the morning.

"He blew his nose or he sneezed and the eye blew up and he got a bit of a fright. But the scans aren't showing any fracture so that's a plus.

"Having said that, it's a really sore one in a dangerous area and time will determine how he feels.

"It's such a precarious position and an elbow or anything like that could do damage.

"It's still early days in the healing process but we are hopeful he won't be out for too long."